Rosh Hashana starts tonight

From the Monday, Sept. 29, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Rosh Hashana starts tonight
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

Eight-year-old B.J. Llaneta of Crystal Lake knows that he will never have perfect attendance at school.

Every year he misses classes to observe the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashana, which starts at sundown today.

“It’s always traumatic because he has to miss school,” said Amy Yoslov-Llaneta, his mother. “But living in a Christian world, you get used to it.”

While most people will go about their weekly routine, Jews will step aside from work and school over the next few days to usher in the Jewish New Year.

Rosh Hashana, a high holiday for Jews, is a time of self-reflection.

“We look over the last year at what our goals were, how we met them and how we didn’t meet them,” said Rabbi Maralee Gordon of the McHenry County Jewish Congregation, in Crystal Lake.

Most Jews honor the occasion with a special family meal.

“It’s time for family and friends to get together with a festive holiday meal,” said Judy Minsley, of Congregation Tikkun Olam.

The meal includes a round challah, or Jewish bread. The bread is round for this holiday to represent God’s crown, the circle of life or unity, Minsley said.

The special meal also will include a celebrated dish, such as brisket, turkey or chicken. The meal also includes sweets, such as cakes and apples to be dipped in honey.

“We’re supposed to eat sweet things because we’re praying for a sweet year ahead,” Minsley said.

Beyond the family meal, Jews will spend significant time at services starting Monday night.

“There are prayers inserted into the liturgy that make us think about our mortality and focus on being in charge,” Gordon said.

During Rosh Hashana services, the Torah will be draped in white, Minsley said. A member of the congregation also will blow a shofar, a ram’s horn.

“It’s quite striking,” Gordon said. “It’s meant to wake us up to our behavior and [the need] to make changes.”

Like Christmas and Easter for Christians, services for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, another High Holy Day which starts Oct. 8, often are the most well attended, Gordon said.

Local service locations
The McHenry County Jewish Congregation’s observance of the High Holidays will begin at 7:30 p.m. Monday, with Erev Rosh Hashana services, followed the next two days by services that begin at 9 a.m. The congregation meets at 8617 Ridgefield Road, Crystal Lake.

Congregation Tikkun Olam’s observance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Monday with Erev Rosh Hashana services, followed by services at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Congregation Tikkun Olam meets at Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock.